HomeCare Matters

December 2018

10 Reasons Why Helping a Family Caregiver Will Be the Best Thing You Do This Holiday Season

The holiday season is in full swing. Have you written your list and checked it twice? There’s another item to add to this years’ Holiday To-Do List: Help a family caregiver.

Chances are you know someone, either in your family or in your circle of friends, who cares for someone with a chronic illness or life-limiting disease. Your help, which could be just one hour out of your weekend, could be the highlight of the season. Here’s why:

1.     When you help an individual who cares for a family member, you make a difference. You can make the day easier for someone who has more difficult days than easy ones.

2.     Doing ‘good’ for others does ‘good’ for you. Studies show that volunteering makes you happy.

3.     The act of caregiving — giving care to another — embraces life’s meaning. You’ll see the good in life when you spend time helping someone.

From its locations in Des Moines and Creston, EveryStep Home Care offers in-home care and support to patients recovering from illness or injury.

EveryStep Home Care is offered in 16 Iowa counties: Polk, Union, Dallas, Jasper, Boone, Story, Marshall, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Adams, Clarke, Taylor, Ringgold and Decatur counties.

To learn more, call EveryStep Home Care at 515-558-9591 or visit everystep.org.

Please contact EveryStep Home Care if you or your loved one answer “yes” to two or more of the following questions:

• Have you or your loved one been recently hospitalized?
• Were you or your loved one diagnosed with a new illness or disease?
• Have you or your loved one had a recent medication change?
• Do you or your loved one need physical, occupational or speech therapy services?
• Are you or your loved one at risk for falls?
• Do you or your loved one have concerns with safety at home?